Rajput Regiment


The Rajput Regiment is one of the oldest infantry regiments of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its history back to 1778, when the 24th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry was formed. The Regiment's 1st Battalion was later formed in 1798. Its regimental centre consists is located in Fatehgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
Following World War I, the Indian Army underwent a significant restructuring, during which most Rajput regiments were consolidated into the 7th Rajput Regiment. These included the 2nd Queen Victoria's Own, the 4th Prince Albert Victor's, the 7th, and the 11th Rajputs.
Before India's independence, the regiment primarily consisted of Rajputs and Punjabi Muslims. After 1947 recruitment was diversified, but Rajputs continued to form the majority, making up 51% of the regiment’s population. There are also Gujjar, Brahmins, Bengalis and even Muslims. The overall percentage of the Rajputs, however, remains the highest-51 per cent--with Gujars, Bengalis and Muslims trailing behind. such as those of the Jats, Brahmins, Kurmi, Muslims, and Ahirs.
The regimental insignia features a pair of crossed Rajputi Katars flanked by three Ashoka leaves on either side. The Lion Capital of Ashoka is mounted on top, and a scroll below displays the words "The Rajput Regiment".

Operations

World War I

Most Rajput battalions actively participated in combat during the World War I. The 1st Battalion fought at the Battle of Dujaila in southern Kut and was nearly annihilated. The 3rd battalion fought the Battles of Qurna and Kut-al-Amara against the Ottoman forces. In one of the battles, the Ottoman Turks had pushed back both flanks of the 3rd Rajput, during which Jemadar Sital Baksh was severely wounded. Sepoy Jhandu Singh rescued him and was posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit and Médaille militaire.

Interwar Period

In 1922, the infantry regiments of the British Indian Army underwent a reorganization. All Rajput regiments were amalgamated to become battalions of the new 7th Rajput Regiment, divided as follows:
Additionally, the one-class characteristics of most infantry regiments were altered, and the Rajputs introduced a company comprising each of Punjabi Muslims and Indian Muslims in each of their battalions.
In late 1936 and 1937, the 3rd Battalion was posted to Waziristan, now part of the tribal areas of Pakistan. During that time, they were employed against Afghan insurgents and criminal gangs raiding across the border.

World War II

The 1st Battalion was in the Arakan during the Burma campaign and later took over the defense of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The 2nd Battalion was also in the Arakan area, and it fought a number of battles. The capture of Point 551, also known as Rajput Hill, was the most significant. The Japanese forces holding this feature had repelled attacks by other battalions, but the Rajputs captured the hill, winning an Indian Order of Merit, five Military Crosses, and two Military Medals for this action.
The 3rd Battalion was shipped by convoy to Egypt in August and September 1940. Their convoy was attacked several times by Italian bombers operating out of Ethiopia. The battalion's Bren guns were deployed for air defense, and on one occasion, they are believed to have brought down an Italian aircraft. The battalion was stationed at Suez, Egypt, and was deployed to defend Cyprus following the German attack on Crete, as part of the Indian 5th Infantry Division's 161st Indian Infantry Brigade. Here, they were mainly used in an anti-parachute role, supported by Australian armor. Later, they returned to Egypt and participated in fierce fighting around Deir el Shein and Ruweisat Ridge, including a tough offensive on the 21st and 22nd of July 21 and 22, 1942, during which they suffered many casualties, including the loss of their commanding officer. On 6 August, Sikandar Hayat Khan, Premier of the Punjab, visited the battalion and, having inspected the P.M.s of the battalion, addressed them. He spoke mainly about what the Indian Army had done and was doing, and also generally about the condition in Punjab. Later in the year, the battalion participated in the Second Battle of El Alamein.
The 4th Battalion was also involved in the Western Desert campaign at Sidi Barrani and El Alamein, and upon its return to India, was posted to the Kohima front.
The 5th battalion fought in the Battle of Hong Kong. The action against the invading Japanese was short, with the battalion taking heavy casualties. The battalion, along with the British garrison, was forced to surrender, and the men became prisoners of war and had to undergo great hardships. 130 men of the 5/7 Rajput were either beaten or starved to death, or died because of a lack of medical care. The Japanese wanted Capt. Mateen Ahmed Ansari of the battalion to renounce his allegiance to the British, but he refused. For five months, he was subjected to brutal beatings and treatment, as a result of which he could not walk. He was then sent to live with the other ranks instead of the officers. Capt. Ansari remained true to the regiment and organized a system to assist escapees. He was again put in jail, tortured for his actions, and executed after refusing to give in. Capt. Ansari was awarded the George Cross for his sacrifice.

1947-48 Jammu & Kashmir Operations

At the time of partition in 1947, the Punjabi and Bengali Muslims, who comprised up to 50% of the strength in most battalions, were transferred to the Pakistani Army. The vacancies created by their departure were filled by Gurjars, who were transferred from the Punjab Regiments that had been allotted to Pakistan. The numeral prefix "" was subsequently removed from the regiment's name, and it became known as the Rajput Regiment.
Four Rajput battalions participated in the 1947–48 operations in Jammu & Kashmir. 3 Rajput was the first to be inducted. Its original task was to protect Ramban and Jammu, but it quickly came under the 50th Parachute Brigade for the relief of Jhangar and Kotli. The advance from Jhangar to Kotli took five days, as the column had to clear 47 roadblocks. After the relief of Kotli, the column returned to Naushera. The 1st Battalion Rajput was inducted next and it formed part of the 50th Parachute Brigade at Naushera. It had its share of fighting in clearing the raiders from some hill features around Naushera. Meanwhile, the raiders maintained heavy pressure on the Naushera-Jhangar road, and both the 1st and 3rd Rajput Battalions fought numerous engagements to keep the road open. In December 1947, 4th Battalion Rajput troops were inducted and deployed in the Chamb-Akhnoor area. 2 Rajput came in next and were employed for lines of communication duties around Jammu.
Aggressive patrolling was conducted by the 1st and 3rd Rajput Battalions around Naushera and Kot. In February 1948, a patrol was dispatched to the area east of Naushera, where it encountered and was surrounded by an enemy force of around 1,000 men. A fierce battle ensued, lasting for seven hours. In this action, the 3 Rajputs won 3 Vir Chakras – one each to Sub. Gopal Singh and Sep. Sikdar Singh and a posthumous one to Hav. Mahadeo Singh.
After the fall of Jhangar, Naushera became the enemy's next objective. Brig. Mohammad Usman, the commander of the 50th Parachute Brigade, closely monitored the situation and drew up defensive plans in which the Rajputs were holding tactical ground around Naushera. C Company, 1 Rajput was holding the Taindhar position, which was vital for the defence of Naushera. Brig. Usman had directed C Company to hold this position at any cost in case of an attack. In the early morning hours of 6 February 1948, the enemy attacked the Taindhar position. Enemy forces were about 1500 strong and mainly consisted of Pathans with some Pakistani servicemen. The enemy attacked in waves of lines, each comprising 200–300 men. Six such attacks were launched, and there was heavy hand-to-hand fighting in some posts. Hav. Daya Ram, who was then manning the 3-inch mortar detachment, realised that the enemy had gotten very close to the defensive positions. He removed the secondary charge from the mortar bombs, elevated the mortars to their maximum height, and fired the bombs. These bombs landed within 30–50 yards of the Rajput defensive positions and caused havoc among the enemy. Some of the enemies switched and attacked Daya Ram's section, but the position held. Daya Ram was wounded, and his Bren gunner was killed. He then picked up the Bren gun and started firing at the enemy. For his courageous actions, Daya Ram was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
The left flank of C Company gave a straightforward approach to the enemy. This sector was defended by Nk. Jadunath Singh and his section. The enemy, after failing in its frontal attacks, shifted its main effort to this sector. Jadunath Singh effectively directed the fire of his Bren gun, rifles, and grenades. The enemy, however, still continued to advance. Jadunath Singh rushed out of his defensive position, throwing hand grenades and firing his Sten gun, taking the enemy by surprise and forcing them to withdraw to regroup. The enemy charged again, but Jadunath Singh stood firm and charged out once more. He was wounded this time, but the attack failed again. By this time, his section had suffered heavy casualties. The enemy attacked again, and Jadunath Singh charged out for the third time, firing his Sten gun and hurling grenades. He fell after being hit by two bullets, one in the head and another in the chest. The enemy had lost heart after this and withdrew, leaving behind a large number of dead and wounded. For his gallantry, Jadunath Singh was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.